Robert Parish

Robert Lee Parish, known as “The Chief,” was born on August 30, 1953, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He displayed athletic talent early, initially focusing on football, baseball, and track before junior high coach Coleman Kidd introduced him to basketball. Parish attended Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, leading his team to a state championship in 1972. His collegiate career at Centenary College of Louisiana was marked by impressive statistics, averaging 21.6 points and 16.9 rebounds per game, despite NCAA sanctions that limited national recognition. Parish’s dedication during this time, including his choice to remain at Centenary, highlighted his loyalty. He later helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games.

Parish was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1976 NBA Draft. He played four seasons with the Warriors, averaging 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. A pivotal turning point in his career occurred on June 9, 1980, when he was traded to the Boston Celtics. This trade is considered one of the most impactful in NBA history, as it brought Parish and a draft pick, used to select Kevin McHale, to Boston. Alongside Larry Bird, Parish and McHale formed “The Big Three,” a formidable frontcourt that led the Celtics to three NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986. During his 14 seasons with the Celtics, Parish was a nine-time NBA All-Star, named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1981–82 and the All-NBA Third Team in 1988–89.

After leaving the Celtics in 1994, Parish played two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and concluded his illustrious career with the Chicago Bulls in 1996–97, winning his fourth NBA championship at age 43. He holds the NBA record for most career games played with 1,611 and is tied for second in most seasons played (21). Parish was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and was named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Known for his strong defense, rebounding, and high-arching jump shot, Parish’s jersey number 00 was retired by the Boston Celtics in 1998, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s most durable and impactful centers.